The 7-foot-1 center spent 3 ½ years with the Heat, helping Miami win its first title in 2006.

Anytime Shaq is around memorable/silly moments are a given. Shaq had many on and off the court during his brief tenure in Miami. Here are 5 we came up with:

Having fun with Craig Sager

Shaq was doing an in-game interview with TNT sideline reporter, the late Craig Sager, in 2008 when Sager asked the Big Fella what he had to do to improve his game.

“Buy you a new jacket,” Shaq answered.

“What’s wrong with this one?” Sager asked.

“That’s horrible,” Shaq said. And he didn’t stop there.

“No, you know that that is, that’s horri-awful. That’s horrible and awful mixed together – horri-awful.”

Sager, known for his signature colorful jackets, died Thursday after a battling leukemia. He was 65.

The finger wag

During a game in Houston in 2007, Shaq went up against 7-2 Dikembe Mutumbo, the four-time defensive player of the year who was so limited offensively his signature move was wagging his finger after blocking a shot.

At one point during the game Shaq received a pass on the block, turned and attempted a dunk, except the ball bounced off the rim. Shaq, though, retrieved the loose ball and this time successfully stuffed the ball through the basket over Mutumbo.

Shaq then turned the tables on Mutumbo, wagging his finger in Mutumbo’s face, which drew a technical foul. Mutumbo was allowed to wag his finger because he did it to the crowd, never in an opponent’s face. But Shaq got up close and personal with man who is second all-time in blocks, which got the attention of the officials.

Closing out the Bulls

Shaq’s best performance during his 3 ½ years with the Heat came on a big stage when he scored 30 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and added five assists and two blocks as the Heat closed out the Chicago Bulls, 113-96, in the first round of the 2006 Eastern Conference playoffs. Miami then went on to beat the Nets and Pistons before disposing of the Mavericks in six games for the first title in franchise history.

Shaq averaged 19.5 points and 9.1 rebounds with the Heat during the regular season. He also played in 40 postseason games with Miami with numbers nearly identical (18.8 points, 9.0 rebounds).

Diesel Powser

Shaq wasn’t about to commence his career in Miami quietly, he never does anything quietly. So when he arrived in July 2004, he arrived in style, showing up in an 18-wheeler with a “Diesel Power” banner attached to the side. The downtown rally drew thousands of sweat soaked fans coming to see Riley’s latest marquee addition.

Shaq promised a championship, which he delivered with help from Dwyane Wade (or is it Wade who delivered with help from Shaq), and helped keep the fans cool by spraying them with a super soaker. Among Shaq’s pronouncements: “I just bought a house on the beach because my wife likes me to walk naked on the beach.”

Okay, that image we could have done without.

So you think you can dance

Forget the actual championship run, after all, Wade was the biggest star during that postseason. One of Shaq’s best moments on a stage that spring came during the championship celebration. And although that day is better remembered for Pat Riley’s, ummm, dance? We never would have had that image if not for Shaq. Thank you, I think?

Standing on the stage with his teammates, Shaq grabbed the microphone (doesn’t he always?) and first told the crowd to “make some noise.” He then looks at his teammates and said, “watch this” before breaking into rap.

“Put your one finger in the air. Now waive your hands in the air and waive them like you just don’t care. Say ‘yeah.’ Say, ‘yeah.’

“If you love Pat like I do, if you love Pat like I do say ‘coach Riley.’ Say, ‘coach Riley.’

“If you like the best player in the league, if you like the best player in the league say, ‘D Wade.’ Let me hear you say, ‘D Wade.’

It didn’t end there. Shaq went on to entertain the crowd for another few minutes before calling Riley over and getting Riley to do. … whatever it was he did on that stage.